What is sealer?
Why should I seal my natural stone? ...tile? ...grout?
How often do I need to seal my stone floor?
How do I clean my newly-installed and sealed tile or stone countertops?
How can I tell if my stone has already been sealed?
How long do sealers last?
Is one coat of sealer enough for natural stone?
Is it really necessary to seal stone outdoors?
What types of sealers protect outdoor stone against constant sunlight?
What if its granite? Granite is very hard, very shiny and very dense. Does it need to be sealed?
What is the proper way to clean hard-water stains off of my natural stone surface?
I put something down on my polished stone and now it has a light-colored ring mark on it. It looks like a water spot, but I can't get rid of it. What do I do?
My stone was sealed and I still get these etch marks?
What is porosity and why does it differ by stone?
Why does my granite stain?
Why does the name of stone change from one store to the next, although the stone looks identical?
What should be the minimum amount of time between visits from a maintenance professional?
How important is it to repair cracked grout?
Why can't I use my ceramic tile products on my natural stone tile?
What's the best way to remove soap scum from natural stone?
How do I remove mildew and algae from my natural stone shower?
What is a sealer?
A sealer is a specially formulated chemical product designed to protect your tile, stone and grout. Sealing your surfaces will decrease the possibility of anything staining or harming your surface.
There are basically two types: sealers that lay on top of the surface, usually called topical sealer, coating sealer or surface sealer ; and sealers that go inside the surface, usually called impregnating sealer, penetrating sealer or sub-surface sealer;
Within those two types, you have four sub-types: water-based, oil-based, lacquer-based and solvent-based. Sealers can also bring your stone to its raw state, enhance the color, add gloss, reduce gloss, etc., or do nothing but seal. Your own performance and appearance objectives will dictate the type of sealer you use.
Why should I seal my natural stone? ...tile? ...grout?
Like any investment, your quality surfaces call for the best and most practical protection possible. Protected stone, tile and grout is easier to clean, resists staining, and provides a healthier and safer environment. With proper maintenance, these surfaces can easily serve you a lifetime.
How often do I need to seal my stone floor?
That depends on how the surface in question is used and what environment it's in. For example, how often do you clean your carpet? Generally speaking, the same goes for your stone. The only hard-and-fast answer for this question applies to areas that are regularly in contact with water (showers, fountains, etc.) which should be sealed at least once every twelve months.
How do I clean my newly-installed and sealed tile or stone countertops?
Our suggestion would be to use a daily counter cleaner specifically formulated for tile and stone some are available in a spray, some come as a wipe. For a more aggressive cleaning, we recommend using a spray. For grout, use a brush on the grout joints and then wipe it down. Every cleaning reinforces the protection of the initial sealing, and less is more when it comes to cleaning tile and stone do not use more than is necessary to cover your area.
How can I tell if my stone has already been sealed?
Apply a drop of water (about the size of a nickel) to the surface and let stand for at least 15 minutes. If the stone does not darken, then your stone is likely sealed against water-based stains. However, testing for oil repellency is not as simple because if the stone surface is not sealed, then you don't want to stain it by deliberating placing oil on it. Be aware that although your surface may repel water, that does not mean that it has been sealed properly its best to get a professional evaluation.
How long do sealers last?
Amount of use, level of maintenance, and environment all affect sealer life. Generally speaking, if you sealed your stone with a quality sealant and have maintained it regularly with daily cleaners, your sealer can last anywhere from 2 to 5 years. However, just because a sealer can last several years, that doesn't means that it will or even should. All factors should be considered. For example, a countertop in your summer cabin can go longer between each sealing than a shower floor in your townhouse that gets used daily.
Is one coat of sealer enough for natural stone?
Every stone is different. Based on the product you're using and the type of stone, one coat may be sufficient, however, some stone surfaces and grout will require two coats, and a few of the more absorbent stones may need additional coats to be properly sealed. Consult the manufacturer or call a stone care professional both can offer more specific information on how many coats are needed for your particular natural stone.
Will sealing my stone and tile prevent it from scratching and chipping?
No not any more than having a car waxed prevents it from getting scratched or dented. Sealing protects the stone and tile from harmful elements the same as a car wax does, however, by the same logic, it is not an invisible bullet-proof shield. If you roll a desk chair across your travertine floor or drop a stack of frozen steaks against your granite bar, no amount of sealer will keep them from getting damaged.
Is it really necessary to seal stone outdoors?
In a word, yes.
Outdoor elements can be very harsh on your stone. Things that affect your stone range from the visible (pollen, dirt, etc.) to the invisible (ultra-violet rays from sunlight). If your aim is to preserve the natural stone in your yard in which you have already made an investment, spending the time and money to seal it is the most practical thing you can do.
Sealing with our sealers will give you maximum protection against rain and snow, chemicals, pollutants, oils from trees and plants, and all the mess that goes along with a typical outdoor barbeque.
Remember that before your stone was ever installed, before it was cut from its quarry, its look was first created naturally by years of water and outdoor elements. These natural elements will continue to alter its appearance. Besides weather, you are also faced with the same appearance-altering issues of an interior environment such as food, drinks, pollutants, pet liquids, etc.
If you like the way your stone looks now and don't want it to change, the only defense you have is to seal it. By the same logic, if you want it to continue being shaped by the elements, then you don't have to do anything.
Our best advice is for you to decide what your personal maintenance and appearance objectives are, and then ask a professional to recommend what is required to meet them.
What types of sealers protect outdoor stone against constant sunlight?
Most quality sealants provide plenty of protection from UV rays. Sub-surface sealers (not topical sealers) are best for outdoor installations.
Sunlight, however, isn't really a big problem for natural stone not anywhere as much as water, dirt, grime and grease. Look at any large office building that has a natural stone façade these stone surfaces are in direct sunlight all day long and their worst enemy is water and dirt, not sunshine. Being able to survive constant sunlight is one of the best things about having natural stone!
What if its granite? Granite is very hard, very shiny and very dense. Does it need to be sealed?
Like any stone installation, that depends on how you want it to look in the long-run. If you want it to look the same as the day it was installed, then, yes, you do need to seal your granite.
Remember that American ideas of stone beauty can be very different from the rest of the world. In Europe and South America, stone is usually installed and never treated, so that after years of dirt, water and use, it has an old-world patina the kind of look that many Americans pay big bucks for to have installed new. Whatever look your stone has now, if you want it to continue looking the same way, you will need to maintain it accordingly and that includes sealing it.
What is the proper way to clean hard-water stains off of my natural stone surface?
Use one part LimeAway with one part Comet with one part crystal Drano and scrub vigorously with a No. 4 Brillo pad.
I put something down on my polished stone and now it has a light-colored ring mark on it. It looks like a water spot, but I can't get rid of it. What do I do?
This is actually an etch mark, which is commonly confused with hard-water staining. Etch marks are not stains but they occur on stone surfaces when acids or other chemicals react with the minerals in the stone. This causes the surface to feel rough and look a little discolored - usually lighter. Unlike water stains, etch marks actually require refinishing the surface in order to restore the original, polished look.
Yes, you can learn how to refinish a stone surface yourself (if you spend enough time and money, you can learn how to do anything), but we recommend that you consult a professional to remove etch marks.
My stone was sealed and I still get these etch marks?
A topical sealer will prevent etch marks because they sit on the surface, however, most of us don't like the way a topical sealer looks on natural stone. A sub-surface sealer gives the best look, but as it doesn't sit on top of the surface, it won't prevent etch marks. The best solution is to take care that nothing comes in contact with your stone that will leave an etch mark. Keep in mind, too, that not all stones have chemical reactions. Most granite, for instance, do not have this chemical-reaction problem and will not etch.
What is porosity and why does it differ by stone?
The technical definition for porosity is the ratio of the volume of a material's pores to its total volume. In other words, the ability your stone has to soak up stains like a sponge.
Porosity is usually expressed as a percentage, and porosity differs according to a stones mineral composition and geological formation. The process in which the stones were formed, and where in the world they were formed, affects the porosity of the stone. (Give some examples....)
Why does my granite stain?
Granite is like any other natural stone; it can be dense or porous, and is absorbent to some degree. Stones that have more swirls or veins tend to be more porous and absorbent. Generally, granite with smaller crystals is more absorbent than granite with large crystals.
Why does the name of stone change from one store to the next, although the stone looks identical?
Stone could sometimes be from the same quarry but from different sections and different cutters. Some stones look identical but originate from different parts of the world, which makes the appearance look the same but possibly with different mineral composition. Names for stone are also subject to how the particular seller wishes to market it.
What should be the minimum amount of time between visits from a maintenance professional?
We recommend having a pro evaluate your installation once a year to keep you up on any professional maintenance that may be required between your normal routine.
How important is it to repair cracked grout?
Very important. Cracked grout can easily let elements into the spaces between the tile and the mortar, which will eventually result in tiles coming loose or falling off. In addition, cracked grout can easily become missing grout, which can then result in a ruined installation in half the time. Repairing cracked grout before it goes missing is definitely worth either the time it takes to do it yourself or the expense it takes to have it done professionally.
Why can't I use my ceramic tile products on my natural stone tile?
There are some products that can be used on practically any surface, however many cleaning products that are specifically designed for ceramic tile are typically harsher and can damage both the natural stone and the sealer. Most ceramic tile cleaners you get at the grocery store will have acid or alkaline, which are never appropriate for natural stone. Some professional cleaning products can be used on both ceramic tile and natural stone, but only if properly diluted.
What's the best way to remove soap scum from natural stone?
Actually, a good nonabrasive, everyday stone cleaner should be all you need to remove soap scum from ceramic tile while using a nylon bristle brush or dish sponge.
If soap scum is to the point that it can not be removed using an everyday cleaner, a good non-chlorine degreaser should be used at a dilution of 10 to 1.
How do I remove mildew and algae from my natural stone shower?
To remove mildew and algae from an area that has not been maintained properly, we recommend using a degreaser that has been diluted with hot water. For natural stone, the degreasers available on this site should be diluted 20 parts water to 1 part degreaser. Use a plastic-bristled scrub brush and wear protective gloves. The same goes for anywhere you find algae or mildew on ceramic tile - swimming pools, fountains, etc.
While some household cleaning guides suggest using a mixture of chlorine bleach and water, it is actually safer just to use a daily cleaner that prevents the growth of mildew and algae (all the cleaners available through this site inhibit the growth of mildew and algae). Chlorine bleach, even when diluted, can change the color of grout and neighboring surfaces.
